News Briefs

Leftist MK Welcomes Barak's Departure

Member of Knesset Dov Khenin of the leftist Hadash party welcomed, Monday, the announcement by Defense Minister Ehud Barak that he is leaving politics after the January Knesset elections.

Khenin said, "Barak's resignation cannot hide his great responsibility four terrible years of political deadlock, damage the prospects of a political settlement [with the Arabs -ed.], and economic and social deterioration. Barak was the supporting pillar that enabled the existence of the most extreme right-wing government in Israel's history. He cannot be released from this heavy historical responsibility."